RP log: Oshitari Yuushi & Tezuka Kunimitsu Part 2

[craftyromantic]

Who: Tezuka Kunimitsu and Oshitari Yuushi
When: Sometime.
Where: Tezuka's house
Summary: Part 2: Tezuka accidentally flips a pancake onto the ceiling, which falls on Yuushi's head. Tezuka offers to wash Oshitari's hair and cute awkward bath time is had.
Warning: PG
Player Comments: Apparently it exceeds LJ limits, so I will divide it in two.
Comments/Crits Allowed: Of course.


Tezuka started up the stairs. "It's getting somewhat late," and if they started the movie, it would be too late for Oshitari to go home. "Would you like to stay over tonight?"

Oshitari bounced at the idea and gave Tezuka an all too excited reply. "I'd love to!"

He pressed his lips together and paused a moment. "If it's not too much trouble, of course." Yuushi was keen on the idea of spending more time with his new friend but he wasn't sure if the other would be alright with it, even if he was the one that asked.

Oshitari's excitement, then quick cover up, was both puzzling and endearing to him. "If it were trouble, I would not have invited you to," Tezuka stated plainly, as he sought out the second DVD. "Make sure to call your parents so they do not worry."

"It's fine. They wouldn't worry." Oshitari said and went to his bag to retrieve his cellphone, flipping it open. "Father went to some doctor convention and my mom went along with him." He shrugged and sent a text message to them anyway.

"There." Yuushi mumbled to himself and slipped the phone back into his bag, taking the opportunity to retrieve his hair elastic. "I take it it's alright to sit on your bed again?"

Once Oshitari texted his parents, Tezuka nodded in affirmative. "Would you like to borrow a pair of sweats to sleep in?"

They should probably change before the movie started, because it would end very late.

Oshitari blinked and only then realized he had not come prepared to sleep over, but he nodded nonetheless. "Aa, I would appreciate it."

Tezuka eyed Oshitari to determine his size. He was only a little taller than the Hyoutei player, and sweatpants had an elastic waistband to accomodate whatever size. Digging up a pair of such sweatpants and finding a random t-shirt with a german slogan written on it, Tezuka handed them to Oshitari.

His own pajamas were neatly folded under his pillow, along with the sling he needed to wear at night.

Oshitari took them with a smile and noted the german slogan, a bit amused, though he had no idea what it read. "Thank you, Tezuka."

The bluenette stood for a moment and watched curiously as his friend took his own pajamas from underneath the pillow, eyeing his sling. "Shall I change in the bathroom?" Yuushi asked though he had no problems changing infront of Tezuka.

"If you'd like," Tezuka said ambivalently. He was not particularly shy, but perhaps his friend was. "The bathroom is straight across the hall."

Turning his back to Oshitari, Tezuka carefully pulled his shirt over his head, revealing the large surgical scar on his left shoulder. It was nothing to be ashamed of, so Tezuka took no pains to hide it. He just shrugged on a t-shirt to sleep in.

If Tezuka had not changed first, Oshitari would of gone to the bathroom, but his sight stayed glued on the back revealed to him. Blue eyes ran over the length of the scar on the boy's shoulder and his lips went slack. Void of his usual smile or cheerful grin.

"I will just change here." Yuushi finally said and slipped his own shirt off over his head. He took the opportunity to tie his hair back in a small ponytail.

The scar, though angry red in color, was healing up nicely, only requiring Tezuka to wear his sling at night (which Tezuka found quite unnecessary: he never moved in his sleep).

"Aa," Tezuka replied, and efficiently changed into his sweatpants. As Oshitari put on pajamas, he fiddled with his sling to get comfortable.

Oshitari finished the tie in his ponytail and shrugged on the borrowed shirt. He would ask what it said, but stayed quiet for now and slipped himself into the sweatpants. Not a perfect fit but at least they were comfortable.

"Do you need help with that?" He asked and closed some of the distance between them.

"I think half of the neck strap is flipped under," it made the sling very itchy, "Can you please fix it, I cannot reach." He looked over his right shoulder at Oshitari. With the blunette's hair pulled back, it was much easier to see his face.

"Of course, Tezuka." Oshitari agreed and moved behind the other boy. He fixed the strap in question and allowed his fingers to lightly graze over the surface of both his arm and sling. He checked over it's strapping and hinges to make sure everything was correct.

"There you go." He hummed, probably a bit to close to his friend. He noted this was probably the second or third time he'd been so closely behind Tezuka today.

"Thank you," Tezuka murmured. The goosehairs at the nape of his neck rose to the touch, very aware of the tensai's presence and near caress. When he heard Oshitari's light hum in his ear, Tezuka stepped away and turned to face the blunette.

"Are you ready to begin the movie?"

"Aa!" He tilted his head to the side and smiled at Tezuka. The fact that the other had moved from his touch so quickly did not bother him.

Oshitari sat himself comfortably on the brunette's bed and slid his back against the wall. His fingers rose to push at the bridge of his glasses and he toyed with the idea of removing them for the rest of the night. "I'm ready."

As he observed Oshitari's smile, he thought that it wasn't that the extended touch bothered him....

Wait, no, that was the problem exactly. That it didn't bother him. Unless he was extremely close to someone, such as his parents, or Sanada, he could not permit their touch for anything more intimate than a pat on the shoulder. Over the course of the day their contact had far exceeded that.

Tezuka decided not to reflect on this any further tonight. Instead, he sat next to Oshitari and hit play.

He settled himself more comfortably once his friend had seated and glanced through his peripheral at him. The usual movie warnings were playing so he figured he'd finally ask Tezuka something.

"So..." Oshitari's blue eyes darted down at his shirt. "What does this say anyway?"

For a moment, Tezuka looked at him quizzically, but then the question became clear when he followed blue eyes down to Oshitari's shirt.

"It is the name of a sausage company," Tezuka informed him.

"A sausage company?" Oshitari returned the same quizzical look. "...Do you like sausages, Tezuka?" He bit at his bottom lip to prevent a laugh.

"Aa," Tezuka said plainly. "I received the t-shirt because I exceeded a certain amount in my purchase."

Sausages made for excellent souviners.

"I see." Oshitari turned his head and coughed into a closed fist, disguising his small laugh that way. The innuendo had gone right over Tezuka's head, but he expected as much. It's what made the other boy so much fun.

So it was noted, Tezuka enjoyed sausages.

The general laws and all that mumbo jumbo on the DVD had scrolled through and he settled his eyes on the TV once the film began.

Since Oshitari professed his understanding of sausages, Tezuka said nothing further and was happy to be sucked into the search for the missing hobbits.

Oshitari watched the movie in silence as he had done earlier though his eyes kept sliding to look at the brunette. Tezuka's face wasn't much different than usual but it was hard not to notice the absorbed look. He really did love Lord of The Rings, didn't he?

He coughed once again into a closed fist, muffling a small chuckle to himself before regarding the screen.

Hearing Oshitari's cough somewhere in the periphery of his consciousness, Tezuka turned and asked, "Would you like some water, or tissues?"

Oshitari shook his head and offered another one of his bright smiles at Tezuka. "I'm fine, but thank you."

Tezuka would have replied, but Aragorn was utilizing his ranger tracking skills in a way that made Tezuka want to be him.

He never lets his guard down....

Oshitari continued to watch the movie in silence alongside Tezuka and resumed his occasional glances. He couldn't help it, everytime Aragorn would come on the screen...he could feel the brunette's enthusiasm for the character. For the whole film, really.

It was endearing in a way.

The Lord of the Rings were wonderful films, but they were also long ones. Though Tezuka remained awake, he made himself comfortable and tucked the sheets around both of them. "Move up a little," he said, so he could pull the blanket out from under Oshitari.

He could always move to the futon when the movie ended.

He moved a little as Tezuka asked and watched as the other went about tucking the sheets around them both. Oshitari smiled to himself.

"So comfortable!" He hummed and moved back into position, though purposely scooted closely to Tezuka this time. This was quite comfortable, he thought, and regarded his friend with a gentle look.

Tezuka met Oshitari's warm gaze, which somehow managed to reflect the tensai's words. "...Aa, comfortable."

Only the battle of helm's deep could have drawn his stare away, and lo, there it was, in all it's cinematic glory.

As the scenes went on, Oshitari could feel his eyes starting to drift closed on occasion. Though not boring in the least, the film was long and the tensai could sense himself getting tired.

He watched and watched but his lids fell heavy until he finally succumbed. Yuushi closed his eyes and dropped his head gently onto Tezuka's shoulder, blue strands falling to cover much of his face. The bluenette was not yet asleep but with the warmth Tezuka's body provided, he doubted he would stay awake long. Unless, of course, the brunette shoved him off the bed or something.

As Oshitari's head fell onto his shoulder, Tezuka did not so much as move. He peered down to see if the blunette was indeed asleep, but he could not see much besides dark strands and a well formed mouth.

Well formed? Tezuka furrowed his brow. Where did that come from?

Shaking off the thought, he resumed watching the movie until the Battle of Helm's Deep ended. The falling action had less to keep Tezuka awake, so he drifted off, head resting lightly against the one pillowed on his good shoulder.

Sakura flowers... he realized, was the smell of Oshitari's shampoo. And that was his last conscious thought of the evening.

His mind was in a sleepy haze as the movie went on and found himself thankful that his friend had not shoved him off his shoulder. Oshitari could feel his muscles begin to relax and was only midly startled when Tezuka rested his head on his.

It was only a simple action and yet he felt his heart skip an awkward beat. He smiled to himself and if possible, scooted just an inch closer to the brunette. Tezuka's body felt warm, almost inviting.

Oshitari pressed his lips together and listened to the sounds of the still on television until he finally drifted off to sleep.

Fast asleep, Tezuka did not notice Oshitari's movement, or the television, or the fact that his mother wandered in to turn it off at some point in the middle of the night.

Completely easy and with no nightmares, he slept through til morning. When he woke up at his usual hour (four thirty), all he could feel was warmth.

Warmth quickly followed by surprise, as he woke up with his nose buried in blue hair. The events of last night came back to him and he relaxed.

I can stay here for just a little longer... Tezuka thought. I don't want to wake him up.

Oshitari was in part a light sleeper and the small movement from Tezuka stirred

Oshitari hummed in his sleep and pressed in closer to whatever the warmth next to him was. His arm lazily draped itself over Tezuka

Oshitari stirred after a moment, though still in a sleepy haze and the warmth next to him was much too comfortable.

In still a sleep haze, Oshitari stirred after a moment though did not open his eyes. Instead, his head nuzzled closely to whatever the warmth next to him was.

The bluenette hummed in his sleep and draped a lazy arm over Tezuka's lap and lay his hand on the boy's waist. At the moment, all he knew was that he was comfortable and did not feel like getting up.

Oshitari's every exhale sent warm air tickling toward his ears, and as the blunette shifted even closer, he found himself flushing inadvertently.

Why? He had nothing to feel guilty about. Except the fact that I haven't moved yet.

Several will-gathering deep breaths later, Tezuka tried gently to extract himself from the tensai. It was extremely difficult, especially with Oshitari's nose nuzzling into his neck.

It was only once Tezuka began to move that Oshitari resigned to his half-sleep state. His lids snapped open and he found himself staring at strands of brown hair. Tezuka, he remembered calmly, and it took him a great deal of effort to pull himself away from the comforting warmth.

The tensai removed his arm from around his friend and glanced up at Tezuka with a sleepy look. "Good morning." Oshitari mumbled and removed his glasses. "I'm sorry I fell asleep on your bed." The words were groggy and he rubbed at his eyes with closed fists.

"That's all right," Tezuka said, spending more time meeting Oshitari's sleepy gaze than was really necessary. "I was going to give you the bed anyway." He made no remark about how close they drifted during the night.

Not that it mattered at this point: they had both slept on the bed. He sat up and itched at his sling. The heat from the extra fabric was unpleasant, while his right shoulder felt cold from having its warmth so suddenly removed.

Oshitari's gaze followed Tezuka briefly before sliding out of the bed himself. "I wouldn't of taken it even if you had offered it." He said and swung his arms over his head in a languid stretch.

"Shall I help you remove it?" He asked but didn't wait for any answer before he moved in on the other boy. Oshitari's fingers worked at the straps of the sling before Tezuka could protest and he lifted his sight to meet with his friend's. "I hope I didn't ..." Yuushi grinned before continuing. "Cuddle you too much in my sleep."

Tezuka opened his mouth to respond, and promptly shut it again. He wasn't sure what exactly to say to that, especially not while Oshitari sat so close to him, looking at him with big dark eyes.

"Thank you..." Tezuka said, after a moment of staring blankly at the tensai. "You were fine, and I would not have allowed you to sleep on the futon."

Once Oshitari successfully stripped away the sling, Tezuka flexed tenatively. Functional, just as it was yesterday.

"I wouldn't of allowed you to sleep on the futon either." Oshitari responded with his best matter-of-fact tone. He was a guest in Tezuka's house and futon or floor would of been fine by him. Though, sleeping together on the bed had been a much better outcome.

Yuushi stepped away from Tezuka once the sling had been stripped off. "Is your arm alright?" He asked with a hint of concern as his friend flexed.

Raising a brow, Tezuka expressed his extreme doubt that Oshitari would have won that fight. The tensai couldn't even begin to know just how stubborn Tezuka could be.

"No," Tezuka informed him, an echo of Oshitari's matter-of-fact-tone. "That arm is the left one."

Oshitari's face filled with immediate concern at Tezuka's 'No'. His mouth went to respond but at the brunette's next sentence, no sound came out and he pressed his lips together.

Eh?

Yuushi stood in silence for a moment before doubling over in laughter. "Tezuka!" He shook his head and rubbed at his eyes from beneath his glasses. "Your jokes are terrible!"

Yet, the tensai was laughing hysterically.

"If the point of a joke is to make someone laugh, then I believe it was successful, not terrible," Tezuka pointed out with the slightest hint of a smirk to his features.

"But my arm is recovering very well, thank you for your concern."

"Aa..." Oshitari tried to quiet his laugh after a moment. "I guess that would make your joke successful then." If it had been from anyone else chances are the bluentte would not have laughed as so. But it was because it came from Tezuka that made it so funny to begin with.

"But..." He stepped in close to Tezuka again and laid his hand gently on his head. "For an instant, you worried me!" Oshitari's slender fingers ruffled the brunette's hair lightly before dropping his arm back to his side. It was a playful gesture that he had done often with his cousin and double's partner.

Before Tezuka could punch him or kick him away, Yuushi stepped aside to allow some distance. After yesterday's display of anger, even he was a little wary now.

The hair ruffle was...odd. But not for the same reasons that he normally would have deemed an action odd. It wasn't the invasion of space that irritated him, it was the diminuitizing implication.

Despite this, he made no aggressive move toward Oshitari, and felt no inclination to make one. "I apologize for worrying you." It had been his fault; he still had a hard time coming up with appropriate ways to address people's concerns about his arm.

He ran a hand through his hair, though it did nothing to make messy brown locks neater.

Oshitari shrugged in response and slipped off the elastic that held his hair in place. He ran his hand through his own locks and toussled the blue mane. Much like Tezuka, his hair was not neater in the least but it worked for him.

"May I use your bathroom?"

Tezuka nodded and said, "Go ahead, there are new toothbrushes under the sink if you wish to use one."

"Thank you." Oshitari tossed his friend a nod before exiting the room and heading towards the bathroom.

"Aa, thank you." Oshitari said with a nod before exiting the room. He made his way down the hall quietly, tip-toeing almost so as to not cause a sound.

He regarded himself in the mirror once in the bathroom and grinned at his own reflection. Even tired he still looked good. Oshitari slipped the glasses off his face and hooked them into the collar of his shirt as he went about brushing his teeth and the what not.

Since his parents preferred to sleep in on weekdays, Tezuka knew they would not be downstairs until six-thirty or so. For a few moments he stood by the cupboards with his arms crossed.

What sort of thing would Oshitari like for breakfast? He was wealthy, right? Perhaps...

"Pancakes," Tezuka brought his fists together in determination. His glasses flashed. It was not long before he worked up a batter and started to cook them carefully (such that all of them would be approximately the same size).

Oshitari emerged from upstairs only moments later. He wore his own clothes from yesterday sans the long sleeves. The black undershirt would do just fine and the borrowed pajamas now laid neatly folded above Tezuka's bed. He could hear the noises of something being cooked in the kitchen and he headed that way, figuring Ayana would be the one cooking, but it was not her. Instead Tezuka was working at something over the stove.

He smiled. It was kind of a cute sight.

"What are you making?" Yuushi asked and couldn't pass the opportunity to settle himself behind the brunette. He laid his chin gently on Tezuka's shoulder and glanced down at the well formed pancakes.

Tezuka did not start at the intimate touch, but he did not pull away either. Oshitari's presence was not unpleasant.

"Pancakes," Tezuka said, though he thought it should be pretty obvious. "Do you prefer tea or coffee in the morning?"

"Pancakes!" Oshitari repeated with enthusiasm. "My favorite breakfast item." There was a smile to his words as he removed himself from behind Tezuka.

"Coffee is fine." He said and leaned himself on the counter beside his friend. "Shall I help with anything?"

Pancake assumption confirmed, Tezuka nodded as he flipped the pancakes. "You can watch the pancakes while I set the coffee to boil."

That smell again.... Tezuka caught a whiff of sakura blossoms as Oshitari pulled away. He remembered it from last night, though he did not remember why. Was he going crazy? Or....no, was it inappropriate to ask about men's deodorant or shampoo? Tezuka had never before considered such queries. There had to be a subtle way to do this...

"Oshitari," Tezuka turned on the coffee maker and it whirred to life, "I am considering changing my shampoo. What kind do you use?"

Perfect.

"That much I can do." He nodded and slid over to the pan once his friend had moved aside. Oshitari had long proven that the kitchen and him did not get along, but pancakes he could watch. If prompted, he could probably even flip. His grandmother often made them for him and Kenya. The bluenette watched the sizzling batter for a moment before directing his attention at Tezuka.

Changing shampoo? Why would he do such a thing? Knowing the other boy... he probably already had his brand of choice that he would buy for the rest of his life. He raised an eyebrow and Tezuka.

"Mine is a foreign brand." He tilted his head just an inch. "Cherry blossom scented though, I find it soothing in the shower."

Not crazy, Tezuka looked at the coffee maker with stern satisfaction, as if he had just scored a point off of it in a tennis match. "Aa, I see," he commented. Once the coffee was set to go he took his place in front of the cooking pancakes. He replaced the finished ones on the pan with new batter to cook.

Oshitari narrowed his at Tezuka's look of...what was that? Did he miss something? Was shampoo a key word? Hmm. Perhaps he should inquire. "Is there a reason you want to change shampoo brands?" He asked and stepped aside, allowing his friend to resume the cooking.

....Tezuka hadn't imagined that Oshitari would query further into his subtle attempts to find the source of the cherry blossom smell.

"I recently developed dandruff, so I have decided to explore other brands," Tezuka lied, expression not changing for the slightest for it. There, no one would ask further into dandruff.

Suspiiiiicious..... Oshitari narrowed his eyes again at Tezuka and resumed his leaning against the counter. "Hmm." He hummed, the corners of his lips curling into a grin. "I don't recall seeing any such thing on you yesterday."

His gaze shifted to the pancakes. "Afterall, we were practically all over each other in your bed last night. I would have noticed, I think."

One of the pancakes Tezuka was in the process hit the ceiling...and stayed there. All over each other in bed made him use more force than necessary.

Tezuka cleared his throat and attempted to will the heat from his ears. ".....Aa," he said quietly, looking up at the ceiling pancake.

Oshitari stood in silence. Complete silence as his blue eyes rolled themselves up slowly until they landed on the pancake. The pancake on the ceiling. Stuck there ... almost glaring down at the brunette.

What? Had his words affected the other so much that the shock had made him flip the pancake with such force?! Yuushi tried his very best to keep a straight face, he really did, but come on.

"Te...Tezuka." He was biting his lip at this point to prevent the laughter that wanted to burst through. "Are you oka--" Impossible. Oshitari squatted on the floor and buried his face in his hands as his shoulders began to shake and the muffles of some sort of sound echoed from him.

As if by some divine justice, the pancake began to slowly peel off the ceiling. Tezuka knew its trajectory but somehow, Seigaku's captain was frozen with utter embarrassment, unable to act in the face of karmic fried batter.

The half cooked pancake landed, wet side down, right upon the head of the laughing tensai. Tezuka was speechless.

Oshitari's rumbling shoulders ceased once he felt the sticky substance splat onto his head. He stayed in his squatted position in complete silence.

Did it -- had it -- It had.. As it turned out, the pancake had not be glaring down at Tezuka, no. It had been aiming it's sight at the tensai this whole time.

If this had been at any other moment, the goopy pancake would of made him cringe. But, this was far too hilarious. Yuushi's eyes welled with tears as the laughing began again and he tilted his head up, resting his gaze at Tezuka. "Is this how you treat all your guests? He managed to ask, the cooking substance sliding down his face and onto his glasses.

Tezuka stared, as if completely unable to process the question. He opened his mouth to apologize, to answer that this wasn't how things happened, to say that he hadn't meant to splatter Oshitari's hair with egg and flour....

But the only thing that came out...was a laugh. A muted laugh that he immediately covered up with his mouth, but the spark of a smile was clear in his eyes.

"Ah!" Oshitari quickly pointed a finger at Tezuka. "You're laughing at me!" The fact that his friend had finally broken only made the tensai laugh even more.

It had only taken for a pancake to fall from the ceiling and onto his head.

Hand still clasped over his mouth, Tezuka shook his head. Only when he had control over his faculties did he relinquish his grip. Somehow, he couldn't stop looking at the tensai.

It wasn't even the obvious, wet, dripping pancake on his head. Oshitari's cheeks had turned read with laughter, his eyes were charmingly wrinkled at the corners from mirth and his smile looked almost painful.

"...I'm sorry," Tezuka inched toward the tensai and peeled the wet pancake from his head. Holding it out between them, Tezuka continued, "I will help you wash the batter out." Dribbles of pancake mix decorated the small section of tile between them.

Tezuka's brief laugh, as muted as it was, only made him happier at the moment. Who would of thought that he would feel so glad to have a pancake dropped on his head? It certainly hadn't been in his list of things to feel elated over and yet he was.

Oshitari waited patiently as Tezuka removed the wet pancake from his head. "No need to apologize." He said as his laughter calmed, but the smile on his face unmoving. "It was sort of my fault to begin with..." Yuushi mumbled those words more to himself than at his friend. In truth, he really hadn't expected that sort of reaction from him.

"I will take you up on the offer for helping though." He squinted at Tezuka through the batter-tinted glasses before removing them off his face.

"Perhaps that will teach you to be more clear in your speech."

It was probably due to the reading Oshitari had given him that he understood the wrong thing at first. After he tossed the pancake in the trash, he offered Oshitari a hand up. "I'll finish up these pancakes. You can go upstairs and run the tub for yourself, and I will be there momentarily."

Oshitari took the hand with a nod of gratitude and stood. "I was quite clear with my speech." He wouldn't change what he said, especially not after it had led to such an incredible event.

He mumbled a few more words to Tezuka before heading upstairs to the bathroom. Yuushi regarded himself in the mirror and laughed. Batter dripped, red eyed, flushed cheeks ...he looked terrible. The bluenette gave his face a final glance and went to run the tub, slipping his pancake splattered shirt up over his head.

Once Oshitari started toward the bathroom, Tezuka worked on saving the (somewhat well done) pancakes that had been cooking all through the incident. Fortunately, that was the last of them. He covered them with a glass dish to keep warm and followed Oshitari up the stairs.

Tezuka knocked on the bathroom door to let Oshitari know he was entering, and then did so. Washing Oshitari's egg and flour slicked hair would be a difficult job, but it was his fault and he wanted to make sure that none of his friend's hair became damaged because of it. As Oshitari readied for the tub, Tezuka rolled up his sleeves.

Oshitari's eyes darted at Tezuka once he entered the bathroom and offered him a messy smile. The batter had long dripped down his face and lips, sliding it's way down his jawnline. He eased out of the rest of his clothes (he was sure Tezuka was used to this by now in the locker rooms ) and slipped into the tub. The water was just perfect.

He could of washed his own hair, yes, but having the other do it just seemed so much more appealing. "Was everything fine downstairs?"

"Aa," Tezuka sat on the rim of the tub and dipped a wash cloth in the water. "Tilt your chin back a little," he said, voice low and quiet as he gently washed the mixture from Oshitari's tan skin. He afforded cleaning Oshitari Yuushi with the same precision and attention that he gave everything else. To steady the work of his left hand, he cupped Oshitari's cheek with his right. "Close your eyes," Tezuka warned, as a great gob threatened to drop onto the tensai's eyelid.

Yuushi did as he was told and tilted his head back slightly.

"Aa." Oshitari hummed and tilted his chin up slightly. He wasn't self conscious being naked in the least, but he had never a friend help him wash off either. It was certainly interesting but not unpleasant in the least. His lips opened to say something but quickly shut once he felt Tezuka's gentle hand cup his cheek. He could feel his heart jump into his throat and he closed his eyes quickly as instructed.

What was wrong with him? Such a simple action should not cause him to be startled.

Careful, cloth wielding fingers coaxed the batter from Oshitari's forehead, eyebrows and even from the tensai's long, dark eyelashes. If it bothered him that Oshitari was nude in the tub, Tezuka didn't give any indication.

After a few minutes of careful work, Oshitari's face was clean. Tezuka withdrew his touch from the Hyoutei player's face and said, "You may wet your hair now."

Oshitari shook away at his nagging heartbeat and nodded at the other. "Do you splatter and then wash off all your guests like this, Tezuka?" He teased and went to wet his hair.

Once sure his blue locks were properly soaked, the tensai turned to glance at his brunette friend. He squinted at Tezuka through the bangs that stuck to his face.

As Oshitari washed his hair, Tezuka raised a brow lightly. "This is the first time I have found myself at fault for such an event, so I can say nothing for any sort of continuity."

In short, no.

Tezuka's calm hazel eyes met Oshitari's blue, narrowed gaze. Something about it captured him for a moment. He wondered if the blunette felt disarmed without his glasses; Tezuka knew he always did.

Just as soon as that frozen moment began, it ended. Tezuka scooted behind Oshitari on the rim of the tub and focused on gently combing out the batter with his fingers. As if they had affronted him, he ignored the rivulets of water that drifted down the tensai's broad back like a carress.

When those hazel eyes met with his, he too felt something in that frozen moment. Tezuka's gaze had a power behind them that captivated Oshitari, that drew him in to the point where it was hard to tear away.

He swallowed once the brunette had scooted behind him and swatted away at the nagging feeling. Oshitari almost frowned at himself. In the borrowed words of his friend, he was getting careless. That fact was only further shown when Tezuka's fingers wove themselves through his hair, the gentle touch sending a shiver down his spine.

Ignoring the sound of his own heartbeat in his ears, Tezuka willed his focus completely on the task ahead of him. Long, crooked fingers teased through Oshitari's hair, coaxing the stubborn mixture from it. When it seemed like he got the majority of it out, Tezuka reached for the shampoo and lathered it in his fingers.

"Close your eyes. I am going to use shampoo," Tezuka warned. The mild scent of lavender wafted through the bathroom.

"Is the bathwater cold? I can add some warmer water?"

"The water is fine," He assured. The problem lay not in the water afterall, but within his own self. Oshitari wasn't one to blush or feel flustered over simple things and yet the feel of Tezuka's fingers tangled in his hair made his ears pink.

"That scent...," Yuushi whispered and closed his eyes. "It smells nice." The light scent of lavender was almost calming against the beating of his own heart.

Tezuka took Oshitari's word for it and scrubbed the lather into soft, dark locks. "Thank you," Tezuka said, "Though it is far from cherry blossoms." His fingers brushed Oshitari's ears as they searched for each and every little drop of that batter. The suds too dripped down Oshitari's back, tempting Tezuka's eyes to stray from their task.

"It's a soothing scent," The tensai assured and once again his body shivered against the fingers brushing at his ear. He chuckled at himself and turned slightly so as to glance at Tezuka.

"You have such a gentle touch," he said, blue eyes gazing at him briefly before turning away.

Tezuka's mouth was oddly dry. He licked his lips, but that made matters worse. Then it registered that Oshitari was saying something instead of just looking at him.

"...Thank you," Tezuka repeated, not really sure what to say in response to that. "Do you find something amusing?" he asked of the chuckle. Tezuka picked up the showerhead in order to rinse off Oshitari's hair; to make sure no suds went into the tensai's eyes, he cupped his forehead.

Tezuka's hand felt warm against his forehead and Oshitari found himself leaning into the touch. "Hmm...," he hummed. "I was just recalling the image of you flipping the pancake in the air." He would not admit to the other that he had been laughing at himself for being so worked up over nothing.

It wasn't that funny... Tezuka thought, frowning a little because Oshitari was still laughing at him. "I see."

Once all of the suds were gone from Oshitari's hair, Tezuka removed his hand and gave the tensai's face a vengeful spray of water. "Do you use conditioner?"

He laughed at the spray of water against his face and gave Tezuka a glare between his wet locks.

"Aa. I do," Oshitari said and gave his head a small shake, causing some droplets to splash on his friend in return.

"Aa," as he removed the conditioner from the shelf, Tezuka met his stare, mild amusement conveyed through his own eyes, and it didn't fade even as little splashes of water stained his shirt. He simply held up the shower head as if to say who has the big guns?

He could see the mild amusement conveyed in Tezuka's eyes and it surprised the bluenette. A part of him thought he would get a mini lecture over trying to not splash water where unecessary, but instead, what he received was a playful gesture.

Oshitari lifted both hands up in defeat. "You win this one," he said, and the corners of his mouth turned to reach his eyes in a smile.

"Surrender accepted," Tezuka said simply when Oshitari assumed proper defeated posture. He looked at Oshitari's smile for longer than was really necessary.

Though, he was doing many unnecessary things today. The lingering gaze, however, was among the most disturbing. "Now for the reparations," he began smoothing lavender scented conditioner into Oshitari's inky strands. When his hair was wet, it almost looked black.

Oshitari shivered once Tezuka's fingers found themselves in his hair again and he cursed his betraying body. It was sort of odd, really. Though he was soaked in water, his mouth felt dry and his skin all too sensitive. He slid his tongue over his bottom lip in thought, gazing at Tezuka briefly before closing his eyes.

"I hope we didn't wake your parents with the noise downstairs," he said and leaned his head a little more into Tezuka's touch.

Tezuka's brows pursed slightly, frowning at the ends of Oshitari's hair. "Grandfather probably woke up, but he is usually awake at this time regardless....Are you sure that you are not cold, Oshitari?"

Just to be sure, he sprayed Oshitari's back with a jet of warm water.

"Aa, you do like to wake up early don't you?" Oshitari had glanced at his phone prior to all of this and had frowned at the time. He was not one to sleep in late, but waking up before the sun was even out was a different story.

The jet of warm water streaming down his back surprised him and he leaned himself forward, inching his face closer to Tezuka. The bluenette opened one eye at his friend and offered him a gentle laugh.

"I am not cold," He bit his lip before continuing. "It's your fingers." Yuushi confirmed. "I'm not used to someone's hands in my hair. It feels nice." He figured it best to tell Tezuka afterall, otherwise he might amp the water temperature or something logical.

"Aa....." was all Tezuka could manage when he found Oshitari's face so very close to his own. He could feel the air stir from the tensai's laugh: it smelled like his own toothpaste. Swallowing, he looked away, "I enjoy being productive in the morning."

Tezuka looked at his fingers in Oshitari's hair. Was this peculiar? Perhaps. But pancakes did not often fall on people's heads. "Good. Tilt your head back."

A weird fluttering bounced around in his stomach at the thought of making Oshitari feel good. He tried to help crush that feeling by rinsing the shampoo from the tensai's dark locks, but that only made it worse.

"I see..." Productive in the morning? At 4AM? How much did he need to get done at such an hour. He shook the thought aside once the brunette began rinsing at the shampoo. "Nn..." Oshitari's lips parted as a small sound escaped him. He felt almost conscious about the fingers in his hair now and the feeling sent another shiver coursing through his skin.

"I'm almost glad the pancake fell on my head." He confirmed and tilted his head back as told. "Otherwise I wouldn't of had the experience of Tezuka's masterful hair washing."

Why was Oshitari making such unnecessary noises? He wanted to spray the tensai again, because the sounds were doing all manners of things to his stomach. Instead, he finished rinsing soft hair.

Now that he was done, he felt tempted to touch it again.

"Almost," Tezuka repeated, a tiny hint of amusement accenting his features. "Enjoy the rest of your bath Oshitari. I will wash your shirt and bring you another."

Once the other's fingers left his scalp, Oshitari frowned and turned to look at Tezuka. "Done already?" He tilted his head and regarded the brunette with sad eyes. "I was highly enjoying your hands in my hair." His lips turned into a grin as he spoke before nodding at the rest of his friend's words. "Aa. Thank you, I would appreciate another less batter-splattered shirt."

"You have nice hair," Tezuka said, expression completely serious as he stood, and stared down at the tensai. With a short bow, he vacated the room to do as he promised.

What could possibly be wrong with me?

Oshitari stared blankly at the empty space where Tezuka once stood. Nice hair? He blinked, the sound of the water drowned out by his own heart beating against his ears.

Why was he getting excited over such a small compliment? Moreover, was the flipping feeling in his stomach what he thought it was? "...." Yuushi buried his face in his hands and rubbed at his eyes. There was no point in over thinking it, he told himself, and continued with his shower.